Manipulable amusement device

ABSTRACT

A manipulable amusement device formed of a substantially airtight flexible enclosure having an opening, particulate matter loosely filling the enclosure, and a one-way valve seated in the enclosure opening for evacuating air from the enclosure and preventing air from reentering through the enclosure. The enclosed particulate material exhibits a range of conditions from fluid through moldable to hard, depending upon the extent to evacuation of the enclosure.

United States Patent Ellsworth 51 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] MANIPULABILE AMUSEMENT DEVICE [72] Inventor: Orval T. Ellsworth, 840 Miranda Green,

Palo Alto, Calif. 94306 [22] Filed: July 13, 1970 [21] Appl. No: 54,265

3,480,280 11/1969 Gamertsfelder ..273/l06R 2,913,030 1 1/ 1959 Fisher ..46/90 X 3,307,318 3/ 1967 Bauman 2,517,902 8/ 1950 Luebkeman ..264/317 X Primary Examiner-Russell R. Kinsey Attamey-Townsend and Townsend [57] ABSTRACT A manipulable amusement device formed of a substantially airtight flexible enclosure having an opening, particulate matter loosely filling the enclosure, and a one-way valve seated in the enclosure opening for evacuating air from the enclosure and preventing air from reentering through the enclosure. The enclosed particulate material exhibits a range of conditions from fluid through moldable to hard, depending upon the extent to evacuation of the enclosure.

1 1 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures FAIENTEDHAR 71972 3,646,704

sum 1 [1F 2 INVENTOR.

RVAL T. ELLSWORTH WQAJW ATTORNEYS FATENTEDMAR 7 1972 SHEET 2 [IF 2 INVENTOR. ORVAL r. ELLSWORTH ATTORNEYS MANIPULABLE AMUSEMENT DEVICE This invention relates to a new manipulable amusement device which also provides a novel molding medium.

The invention contemplates providing a substantially airtight flexible enclosure loosely filled with particulate matter. The enclosure is formed with an opening in which is seated a valve adapted for evacuating air from the enclosure while preventing air from reentering through the opening. The valve is formed with means for opening the valve to permit readmission of air into the enclosure when desired.

In its initial state the particulate matter within the enclosure flows freely in a fluidlike state under the imposition of forces applied to the enclosure. According to the method of manipulating the amusement device contemplated by the present invention, a sufficient amount of air is evacuated from the enclosure through the valve by, for example, sucking, to produce a differential pressure between the inside and outside of the enclosure so that movement of the particulate matter within the enclosure is constrained and the enclosure and enclosed particulate matter exhibit a moldable consistency. With partial vacuum inside the enclosure, atmospheric pressure outside presses on the flexible surface of the enclosure, which in turn presses on the contained mass of particulate matter, increasing the friction among the particles and decreasing their bulk fluidity.

The novel molding medium can then be contoured and molded to a desired shape. Further air is then evacuated from the enclosure through the valve until the device substantially hardens preserving the desired shape and providing an effective mold. The device can then be returned once again to its original state or to a moldable consistency by opening the valve to readmit a specified quantity of air.

In a preferred form of the invention, the enclosure is formed of an elastic flexible material such as an elastorner. A feature and advantage of such an enclosure is that the device exhibits properties similar to a moldable medium when air pressure within the enclosure is reduced to a level below that of the ambient pressure. Another feature of this enclosure is that it provides a pleasing somatic and tactile quality to the manipulable device.

A preferred particulate filler material for the enclosure consists of spherical beads to increase the mobility of the particles relative to each other such as, for example, expanded or prefoamed polystyrene beads. A feature and advantage of the prefoamed polystyrene beads is the low density of the device. A density range for the prefoamed polystyrene beads of 2 to 4 pounds per cubic foot has been found preferable because structural strength is lost at lower densities and at higher densities, the weight of the device becomes an undesirable factor. A variety of small diameter particules sizes can be used for the filler. However, a spherical shape preferably having a diameter less than half a millimeter significantly improves the moldable characteristics of the device upon evacuation of some of the air.

In addition to the use of prefoamed polystyrene beads as particulate filler for the enclosure, a variety of other types of particulate material can be used such as, for example, sawdust, and vegetable seeds and grain. The particulate material should preferably have low density and curved surfaces.

A variety of one-way valves can be provided in an opening in the enclosure for the purpose of evaluating selected quantities of air, while preventing the readmission of air into the enclosure. In a preferred form the valve comprises a recessed cavity seated within an enclosure opening so as not to protrude above the surface of the enclosure. The cavity is formed with a hole through the bottom thereof and a flexible flap is arranged over the top of the hole in the cavity with an area sufficient to cover the hole. The flexible flap is attached at one edge on the outside of the cavity for movement of the other edge away from and against the hole to permit evacuation of air from the enclosure and prevent readmission of air into the enclosure. The flap is formed with a finger extending from the top of the flap at an angle extending away from the unattached edge of the flap to permit the flap to be flexed and the air seal broken onv the unattached side by depressing the flap finger in order to open the valve and readmit air into the enclosure.

In order to prevent particulate material within the enclosure from escaping through the valve opening, a suitable filter such as, for example, a layer of polyurethane foam can be interposed between the valve opening and the material retained within the enclosure, or the filter can be incorporated integrally within the valve.

The invention also contemplates providing a moldable medium using a valveless enclosure filled with particulate material and sealed with an internal pressure sufficiently below ambient pressure so that the enclosure and particulate material exhibit a moldable consistency.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a manipulatable amusement device embodying the present invention with the enclosure unevacuated and the filter material in a fluid" condition.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing evacuation of the device by sucking through the recessed valve.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a manipulable amusement device incorporating a protruding valve and having the air within the enclosure evacuated to an extent so that the enclosure and enclosed particulate material exhibit a moldable consistency. The novel molding medium is being formed to a desired shape.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a recessed valve for use with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the valve while FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing opening of the valve for readmission of air into the enclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a protruding type valve for use in the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view and FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the valve.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown generally in FIG. 1 the manipulable device is formed of a flexible substantially airtight enclosure 11 which in the example consists of a weather balloon. A variety of other elastic and plastic materials, however, can be used but preferably a stretchable and flexible material such as an elastomer is used to enhance the somatic tactile quality and to simulate a moldable medium such as clay. The enclosure is formed with an opening which in the example is formed by the inverted stem of the weather balloon in which is seated a one-way valve 12. The one-way valve 12 is designed to permit evacuation of air from the enclosure 11 by sucking and to prevent reentry of air into the enclosure 11 unless the valve is manually opened. The enclosure 11 is loosely filled with a particulate material which in the example consists of prefoamed polystyrene beads.

In the condition of FIG. I, the particulate matter freely flows and moves within the enclosure 11 under the imposition of external forces exhibiting a fluid condition. The device in the condition of FIG. I thus generally behaves as if the stretchable elastic enclosure 11 were filled with a viscous fluid.

As shown in FIG. 2, a quantity of air from within the enclosure I l is withdrawn by sucking through the valve 12 creating a partial vacuum inside the enclosure. Atmospheric pressure outside the enclosure I1 presses on the flexible elastic enclosure in turn pressing it against the filler material restricting movement of the particulate material, in this case, polystyrene beads. A sufficient quantity of air is withdrawn so that the particulate matter confined within the enclosure 11 exhibits a moldable consistency which retains a shape imposed upon it by molding. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the particulate matter and enclosure 11 provide an effective moldable medium for sculpting and for providing desired shapes by manipulation of the confined material. In the example of FIG. 3, a different type of one-way valve 14 is shown being a protruding type valve in contrast to the recessed valve shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A variety of particulate materials can be used for substantially filling the enclosure. Spherical particles are preferably used to maximize the mobility of the particles relative to each other but other shapes can be used preferably having curved surfaces. Moreover, for use as an amusement device by little children it is desirable that the particulate matter be of low density so that the device is of light weight. In this respect, prefoamed polystyrene beads have been found suitable, ideally in the range of density of 2 to 4 pounds per cubic foot. At lower density the necessary structural requirements for the beads are lost, while at higher densities the overall weight of a device enclosed within a 10 to 12 inch diameter enclosure becomes the limiting factor. The size of the particles filling the enclosure is also of consequence in providing a filler medium which simulates a moldable medium such as clay and other sculpting media. While a variety of small particle sizes can be used, it has been found that beads having diameters preferably in the diameter range of a half-millimeter and less significantly improve the tactile and moldable qualities of the device.

In the normal procedures for expanding polystyrene beads for use in production of articles, the beads undergo two stages of expansion. It has been found that the polystyrene beads prefoamed or preexpanded through one stage of heating and expansion provide satisfactory filler material for the present invention. A density range of 2 to 4 pounds per cubic foot has been found preferable but densities outside this range can also be used. A variety of other particulate material can also be used such as, for example, sawdust, and vegetable seeds and grain of generally low density with curved surfaces.

For the enclosure or bag 11 a variety of materials can be used such as plastic or rubber and preferably a stretchable flexible material. A transparent enclosure such as, for example, styrene-butadiene or silicone rubber can be used filled with colored beads for aesthetic effect. Tinted transparent enclosures filled with white beads can also be used. The bag can also be preformed with protrusions or other deformities which can extend in or out or lie flat with wrinkles, depending upon the condition of air pressure within the enclosure 11. To provide an expandable plastic enclosure therrnoformed plastic in an accordionlike configuration can be used.

A one-way recessed valve for use in the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4-6. The valve consists of a recessed cavity 20 which is seated within the enclosure opening, which in the example is defined by the involuted stem 21 of the enclosure balloon ll. A lip 22 formed around the cavity 20 is sealed to the enclosure surface 11 to provide an airtight seal. The cavity 20 is formed with a hole 23 through the bottom of .the cavity and a filter 24 is interposed between the hole 23 and filler material 25 within the enclosure 11 in order to prevent the escape of particulate material through the valve. The filter 24 consists of, for example, a foam disk permeable to air but impermeable to the particulate filler material. As shown in FIGS. and 6, the filter 24 is seated directly within the opening 23.

Arranged over the hole 23 is a flexible rubber flap 26 having an area sufficient to cover the hole 23 and lie against the bottom surfaces of cavity 20. The flexible rubber flap 26 is attached at one side 27 by glue or otherwise to the base of the cavity on the outside of hole 23. An extending finger 28 is formed on the unattached side of the flap 26 extending at an angle away from the unattached side. By this arrangement, manual depression of the finger 28 results in the flexing of the flap and lifting of the unattached side of the rubber flap 26 breaking the seal over hole 23 to permit air to reenter the interior of the enclosure 11 when the air pressure inside the enclosure is lower than ambient pressure.

As previously described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, air is evacuated through the valve from the enclosure by sucking and sufficient air is removed to constrain motion of the particulate matter within the enclosure so that it exhibits a moldable consistency similar to, for example, clay. The medium can then be molded into a desired shape. Upon further evacuation of air from the enclosure, a sufficient pressure differential is achieved between the inside and outside of the enclosure so that the pressure exerted on the enclosed particulate material constrains motion of the enclosed particulate material to the extent that the device assumes a hardened state preserving the molded shape. Air can later be readmitted into the enclosure by manually opening the valve as shown in FIG. 6 to return the hardened device to a moldable consistency or to a fluid condition as shown in FIG. 1.

Another type of one-way valve for use in the present invention. in this case a protruding valve, is shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. The valve consists of a semirigid plastic tube or body 30 over which is stretched a flat rubber or elastic tube or flutter valve 31 of the type used in, for example, duck call devices. The semirigid plastic tube is formed with pointed sides 39 with intermediate cutout portions. After the flat tubing 31 is tightly fitted over the valve body 30 the outer end 32 of the flat tube remains collapsed serving as the one-way gate. A filter 33 is interposed in the valve opening to prevent the escape of particulate material 34 retained within the enclosure 35 such as, for example, a balloon. The entire valve is seated within the stem 36 of the balloon providing an airtight fitting around the valve. In the illustrated example, the valve body 30 is formed with a base collar 37 having a smaller opening 38 against which the filter 33 rests. The valve permits air to be evacuated from the interior of enclosure 35 by sucking on the flat tubing 31 but prevents air from reentering unless the flat tubing 31 is manually opened by manually compressing the flat tubing at the side so that the end 32 opens. Manual compression of the flat tubing or flutter valve 31 in order to open the valve is facilitated by the pointed sides 39 of the valve body 30.

The valves described above afford the additional advantage of preventing balloonlike inflation of the enclosure safeguarding against rupture of the enclosure and scattering of the filler material.

It is apparent that the enclosure for the particulate material can be in a variety of shapes other than spherical such as, for example, egg-shaped or square.

The present invention thus provides a novel amusement device and also a moldable medium for reproduction of shapes, sculpting, and other art forms, and can also function as a reusable mold.

In the claims:

1. A hand-held manipulable toy comprising:

a substantially airtight elastic flexible enclosure having an opening;

particulate matter comprising rigid particles formed with smooth curved surfaces affording fluid movement of the particles relative to each other, loosely filling said enclosure;

and a mouth operated valve seated in said opening adapted for orally evacuating air from the enclosure and for preventing air from reentering through said opening, said valve including means for manually opening the valve to permit readmission of air into the enclosure.

2. A manipulable device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the particulate matter comprises substantially spherical preexpanded polystyrene beads.

3. A manipulable device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said valve is substantially flush with the enclosure surface and comprises a recessed cavity fitted in the enclosure opening, said recessed cavity formed with a hole through the bottom and a flexible flap arranged over the opening and attached at one side on the outside of the cavity to permit evacuation of air from and prevent readmission of air into the enclosure, said flap formed with a protrusion to permit the flap to be lifted in order to readmit air into the enclosure.

4. A hand-held amusement device comprising:

a flexible elastic substantially airtight membrane enclosure having an opening; particulate material comprising structurally rigid generally spheroidal particles substantially filling said enclosure;

and one-way valve means in said opening arranged to permit oral evacuation of air from the enclosure and to prevent readmission of air, said valve including means for manually opening the valve to permit reentry of air into the enclosure.

5. An amusement device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the enclosure is formed of elastomeric material.

6. An amusement device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the particulate matter comprises spherical beads.

7. An amusement device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said beads comprise preexpanded polystyrene heads.

8. An amusement device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the preexpanded beads have a density in the range of 2 to 4 pounds per cubic foot and a diameter less than half of a mi]- limeter.

9. An amusement device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said one-way valve means comprises:

a recessed cavity seated within the enclosure opening, said cavity fonned with a hole through the bottom of the caviy;

and a flexible flap arranged over the hole in the cavity having an area sufficient to cover the hole and attached at one side on the outside of the cavity for movement away from and against the hole to permit evacuation of air from the enclosure and prevent readmission of air into the enclosure, said flap formed with a finger extending from the top of the flap at an angle extending away from the unattached side of the flap to permit the flap to be lifted on the unattached side by depressing the finger in order to open the valve and readmit air into the enclosure.

10. An amusement device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said one-way valve comprises:

a semirigid valve body comprising a tube seated within the enclosure opening, said tube formed at the outer end with two pointed sides projecting from the end on opposite sides and formed at the end inside the enclosure with a collar for retaining the tube in the enclosure opening;

and a flat elastic flutter valve comprising a flat tube of elastic material at one end stretched over the outer end and pointed sides of the valve body and at its other end collapsed to the flat condition.

1 l. A manipulable device comprising:

an airtight flexible elastic enclosure and particulate matter comprising structurally rigid particles having a density in the range of 2 to 4 pounds per cubic foot and a diameter less than half a millimeter, formed with curved surfaces affording fluid movement of the particles relative to each other, said particles filling said enclosure, said enclosure being sealed with an internal air pressure sufficiently below the ambient pressure so that the enclosure and particulate matter exhibit a moldable consistency. 

1. A hand-held manipulable toy comprising: a substantially airtight elastic flexible enclosure having an opening; particulate matter comprising rigid particles formed with smooth curved surfaces affording fluid movement of the particles relative to each other, loosely filling said enclosure; and a mouth operated valve seated in said opening adapted for orally evacuating air from the enclosure and for preventing air from reentering through said opening, said valve including means for manually opening the valve to permit readmission of air into the enclosure.
 2. A manipulable device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the particulate matter comprises substantially spherical preexpanded polystyrene beads.
 3. A manipulable device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said valve is substantially flush with the enclosure surface and comprises a recessed cavity fitted in the enclosure opening, said recessed cavity formed with a hole through the bottom and a flexible flap arranged over the opening and attached at one side on the outside of the cavity to permit evacuation of air from and prevent readmission of air into the enclosure, said flap formed with a protrusion to permit the flap to be lifted in order to readmit air into the enclosure.
 4. A hand-held amusement device comprising: a flexible elastic substantially airtight membrane enclosure having an opening; particulate material comprising structurally rigid generally spheroidal particles substantially filling said enclosure; and one-way valve means in said opening arranged to permit oral evacuation of air from the enclosure and to prevent readmission of air, said valve including means for manually opening the valve to permit reentry of air into the enclosure.
 5. An amusement device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the enclosure is formed of elastomeric material.
 6. An amusement device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the particulate matter comprises spherical beads.
 7. An amusement device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said beads comprise preexpanded polystyrene beads.
 8. An amusement device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the preexpanded beads have a density in the range of 2 to 4 pounds per cubic foot and a diameter less than half of a millimeter.
 9. An amusement device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said one-way valve means comprises: a recessed cavity seated within the enclosure opening, said cavity formed with a hole through the bottom of the cavity; and a flexible flap arranged over the hole in the cavity having an area sufficient to cover the hole and attached at one side on the outside of the cavity for movement away from and against the hole to permit evacuation of air from the enclosure and prevent readmission of air into the enclosure, said flap formed with a finger extending from the top of the flap at an angle extending away from the unattached side of the flap to permit the flap to be lifted on the unattached side by depressing the finger in order to open the valve and readmit air into the enclosure.
 10. An amusement device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said one-way valve comprises: a semirigid valve body comprising a tube seated within the enclosure opening, said tube formed at the outer end with two pointed sides projecting from the end on opposite sides and formed at the end inside the enclosure with a collar for retaining the tube in the enclosure opening; and a flat elastic flutter valve comprising a flat tube of elastic material at one end stretched over the outer end and pointed sides of the valve body and at its other end collapsed to the flat condition.
 11. A manipulable device comprising: an airtight flexible elastic enclosure and paRticulate matter comprising structurally rigid particles having a density in the range of 2 to 4 pounds per cubic foot and a diameter less than half a millimeter, formed with curved surfaces affording fluid movement of the particles relative to each other, said particles filling said enclosure, said enclosure being sealed with an internal air pressure sufficiently below the ambient pressure so that the enclosure and particulate matter exhibit a moldable consistency. 